Who painted The Man of Sorrows Standing by the Column?

The Man of Sorrows Standing by the Column was painted by Albrecht Dürer in 1509.

Where can I see The Man of Sorrows Standing by the Column?

The Man of Sorrows Standing by the Column is held by Metropolitan Museum of Art.

What movement is The Man of Sorrows Standing by the Column?

The Man of Sorrows Standing by the Column is associated with Northern Renaissance.

Artwork

The Man of Sorrows Standing by the Column

Albrecht Dürer , 1509

The Man of Sorrows Standing by the Column is an ink print by the Northern Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer. It dates from 1509 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Albrecht Dürer’s 1509 engraving, titled *The Man of Sorrows Standing by the Column*, presents a compact, monochrome composition on laid paper. Central to the image is a gaunt figure of Christ, flanked by the figures of John the Baptist and the Virgin Mary, all positioned beside an architectural column that frames the scene.

Subject & Meaning

The work portrays the suffering Christ, often identified as the Man of Sorrows, emphasizing his physical wounds and emotional anguish. The presence of John the Baptist and Mary underscores the theological narrative of lamentation and intercession, inviting contemplation of redemption through Christ’s sacrifice.

Technique & Style

Executed entirely with fine engraved lines, Dürer achieves a striking emotional intensity through careful modulation of hatching and cross‑hatching. The economy of line, characteristic of early 16th‑century Northern engraving, conveys texture, depth, and the somber mood without reliance on color, demonstrating the artist’s mastery of the medium.

History & Provenance

Created in 1509, the print belongs to Dürer’s mature period, when he was refining his approach to religious subjects. While the original paper sheet’s ownership trail is not fully documented, the engraving has been reproduced in several catalogues of Dürer’s prints and is held in major European and American print collections.